Sep 22
Wind may explain Red Sea parting
Posted in: Today's ChiliResearchers suggest that “wind setdown,” in which strong offshore winds can temporarily lower water levels in shallow coastal areas, could explain the famous biblical tale.
Sep 22
Bookeen’s multitouch-equipped Cybook Orizon e-reader to launch next month
Posted in: e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, multitouch, Today's Chili
Bookeen’s been touting its Cybook Orizon e-reader since CES in January, but it looks like it’s now finally, actually nearing a release. According to the company, the device will be available in “mid-October,” and it’ll boast a 6-inch multitouch screen with “reading quality close to that of paper.” That screen is apparently based on SiPix’s so-called “Caress touch ePaper” technology, and packs a 167 dpi resolution and 16 levels of gray. Otherwise, you’ll get built-in WiFi and Bluetooth (no 3G option), plus 2GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot for expansion, 150 pre-loaded books (presumably public domain), and a web browser that promises “unrestricted” access to the sites of your choice. Still no word on a release over here, unfortunately, but folks in Europe will be able to pre-order the device starting September 25th for €229.99 (or roughly $300).
Bookeen’s multitouch-equipped Cybook Orizon e-reader to launch next month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Sep 22
UTexas researchers develop organic battery, aim for week-long use in smartphones
Posted in: green, research, science, Today's Chili, university
Christopher Bielawski, a brilliant mind working at the University of Texas at Austin, had this to say about his newest discovery: “I would love it if my iPhone was thinner and lighter, and the battery lasted a month or even a week instead of a day; with an organic battery, it may be possible.” Anyone that has ever owned an iPhone (or a smartphone or any sort, really) can grok just how bold those words are, but according to Mr. Bielawski, “we’re now starting to get a handle on the fundamental chemistry needed to make this dream a commercial reality.” At the center of this potential revolution is a newfangled organic battery recently detailed in the journal Science, but just as important is the artificial photosynthesis that the research also touches on. Bielawski and colleague Jonathan Sessler have seemingly figured out how to create an electron transfer process that can proceed in the opposite direction, with this forward and backward switching of electron flow opening up new avenues for the historically stagnant battery innovation market. Granted, these guys have yet to demonstrate that the process can occur in a condensed phase, so actual commercialization is probably a century millennium or two out, but hey — at least our list of “awesome thing that’ll probably never happen” has grown by one.
UTexas researchers develop organic battery, aim for week-long use in smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sep 22
NeuroSky shows off upcoming Mindwave headset, other new chip applications
Posted in: impressions, preview, Today's Chili, video
We’ve seen plenty of applications for NeuroSky’s brainwave-sensing chip already, but it looks like we’re going to be seeing… more. Luckily, some of these are pretty neat. A sweat-band embedded “Thket Brain Athlete” product will allow athletes and trainers to track concentration levels through a workout or through a particular activity (a golf swing, for instance) and analyze that performance later. An iPad app (for the Japanese market, we’re assured) allows you to concentrate on a girl avatar until she kisses you. Just like real life! NeuroSky itself will be selling its own Mindwave headset (a PC version of the iOS-compatible XWave) starting as soon as next month, which will be packed with a few games. Of course, the technology is still a little rough and one dimensional — it can track attention, meditation, and blinks — and NeuroSky is still on the lookout for the “killer app,” but as it gets cheaper and more ubiquitous, we’re sure to see some good come out of this nascent market. The Brain Athlete band and software should be out next month for $350, while NeuroSky’s headset will retail for a much more palatable $80-$100. Check out video of both after the break.
Continue reading NeuroSky shows off upcoming Mindwave headset, other new chip applications
NeuroSky shows off upcoming Mindwave headset, other new chip applications originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sep 22
One of the hardest things to find right now is a really expensive laptop. Cracking $1,000 is only a minor challenge, but go much further up the chain and the pickings get very slim indeed.
Sep 22
Robot to Walk 300 miles from Tokyo to Kyoto
Posted in: Panasonic, R&D and Inventions, robot, Robots, Today's Chili
Marathons are not just for humans. A robot has decided to take on the challenge of walking 300 miles from Tokyo to Kyoto. The tour is part of a publicity tour organized for Panasonic’s Evolta batteries.
The 7-inch tall very cute humanoid robot that take on this project will be pulling a two-wheeled cart behind it. It’s a tiny machine but hopes to get to the finish line successfully.
The robot originally comes from the stable of Japanese company Robo Garage. It has been constructed using lightweight plastic, carbon fiber and titanium and weighs about 2.2 lbs. The entire machine will be powered using 12 AA batteries and operated using remote control, according to the Pink Tentacle site.
The robot will travel from sunrise to sunset, say the organizers, who will be tweeting its progress (@evoltatoukaidou) and livestreaming the event.
The robot can travel at a rate of about two to three miles an hour. So without any breakdowns or problems, the robot is expected to complete the journey in about 49 days.
It’s not the first time that this robot has undertaken adventure sports. In May 2008, it climed a 1740-ft rope suspended from a cliff at the Grand Canyon and a year later drove for a day around the Le Mans race circuit. All of this has already earned the robot a place in the Guinness World Records book.
For its current adventure, the robot has a wheel circling it so it can move over uneven surfaces. The handcart behind the robot is expected to hold extra batteries. The batteries will have to be recharged at least once every day.
Head over to the Pink Tentacle site to see photos of the very cute Evolta Panasonic robot as it gets ready to head out on its latest project.
Check out some photos of the Evolta from its earlier adventures:
The Evolta covered 14.8 miles at the Le Mans race circuit. Photo Courtesy Panasonic
Evolta robot's creator looks on proudly. Photo courtesy Panasonic
The Evolta robot has already set two records. Photo courtesy Panasonic
See Also:
- Adorable Walking Robot Sets Distance Record
- Robot Learns to Flip Pancakes
- Butler Robot Can Fetch Drinks, Snacks
- Anybots Robot Will Go to the Office for You
- Gallery: Robot Bartenders Sling Cocktails for Carbon-Based Forms
- Holographic Displays, Robot Eyes Hint at Your Interactive Future
Sep 22
Is weezy a music player or a juicer? The video promoting the product, now available in Europe for 69 Euro plus shipping, would indicate that men know it’s all about the music — you wirelessly connect your phone-slash-music player or PC to the Weezy via Bluetooth, which in turn plugs into your stereo to play back your tunes. But women are likely to believe the device is for making lemonade. Ha. Hilarious. As for when weezy will make it to the US and at what price remains to be seen (they’re deciding on partners now, said a spokesman).
Also to be determined: how many will be destroyed by the fairer sex’s need to juice some fruit with a device they unplug from the TV. Or maybe that campaign will get a change when and if weezy goes stateside.
Sep 22
Xbox Live Update Preview Program sign-up sheet now accepting gamertags
Posted in: live, Microsoft, netflix, preview, Today's Chili, update, xbox, xbox live, XboxLive, zune
Want an early glimpse of ESPN for Xbox Live? How about an upgraded Netflix, Zune music, or some shiny new visuals? Just like last year, Microsoft’s resident Xbox 360 spokesman Major Nelson has made the call for sign-ups in the Update Preview Progam, which as the name suggests will get you on the list for potentially some early playtime with the upcoming Dashboard update. Just follow the instructions to get in the virtual queue, and sorry, this isn’t gonna get you any closer to Kinect. Productivity notwithstanding, what do you have to lose?
Xbox Live Update Preview Program sign-up sheet now accepting gamertags originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sep 22
Go Wireless: Dropbox Opens App Showcase
Posted in: Apple, ios, iPhone, Phones, Today's Chili
Syncing data between a smartphone and a cable is a lousy chore (I’m looking at you, iTunes), but fortunately you can juggle a lot of your files in the “cloud” (i.e. wirelessly over an internet connection) with Dropbox-powered apps. As of today, these apps are showcased in a directory, which should really come in handy for smartphone users.
It can be a little tricky to explain, so take how I use Dropbox as an example: I read digital documents often. While browsing the web on my Mac, I’ll see a PDF I want to read later. I drag and drop the PDF into my Dropbox, and then on my iPad or iPhone I launch the Dropbox app. When I select the PDF, Dropbox gives me the option of loading the document with other third-party apps that are designed for PDF-reading — such as iBooks or GoodReader. Choose an app and the file loads there instead, leaving the Dropbox app.
So basically, there are a bunch of third-party apps designed to handle different types of media that are using the Dropbox API to spare you the trouble of wired syncing or e-mailing yourself files. And Dropbox just today launched a showcase displaying which apps will cater to your wireless lifestyle.
Dropbox is available on several mobile platforms: BlackBerry, iOS, Android, Windows Mobile.
See Also:
- Dropbox for Blackberry Now in Beta
- Dropbox Updated for iPad, External Editing Added
- Droptext Adds Dropbox Text Editing to iOS
- Dropbox Brings Cloud Storage Within iPhone's Reach
- How to Throw a Knife, Make a Super Ball, Dropbox Your Life
- Baby Drop Box Gets Tech Upgrade
Sep 22
A new product called the XWave claims that it allows you to control your iPad, iPhone or iPod just by thinking hard. Can it possibly work? pOriginally posted at a href=”http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20017305-71.html” class=”origPostedBlog”Technically Incorrect/a/p
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